3of26The bar at the Ginger Man is seen with groups of customers engaging in conversation while drinking beers on Friday, May 14, 2010, in Houston. The Ginger Man, a venerable and beloved beer bar in Rice Village, is celebrating its 25-year anniversary. There will be a big party on May 22. ( Julio Cortez / Chronicle )Photo: Julio Cortez, Staff

4of26Readers said Christian's Tailgate Grill & Bar has the best burgers in the Chronicle's poll.Photo: Bill Olive, FREELANCE

9of26Erika Thompson takes prepared cupcakes to the display case at Crave Cupcakes which is one of three cupcake-exclusive bakeries, and a fourth is set to move into Highland Village in February. Shop photographed on Oct. 2, 2009 in Houston, TX. What will happen if the cupcake bubble goes bust? Are four cupcakeries oversaturating the Houston market with their sugary goodness? Store owners say no--they argue the cupcake is here to stay. Mayra Beltran / Houston ChroniclePhoto: Mayra Beltran, Staff

10of26Marilu Peralta places prepared cupcakes on the display case at Crave Cupcakes which is one of three cupcake-exclusive bakeries, and a fourth is set to move into Highland Village in February. Shop photographed on Oct. 2, 2009 in Houston, TX. What will happen if the cupcake bubble goes bust? Are four cupcakeries oversaturating the Houston market with their sugary goodness? Store owners say no--they argue the cupcake is here to stay. Mayra Beltran / Houston ChroniclePhoto: Mayra Beltran, Staff

11of26A gift for the hostess who had you over at least 12 times before you ever reciprocated: A dozen holiday treats from Crave Cupcakes, $46 for a gift box of 12. This is the Chanuka design; other holiday designs also available.
Crave Cupcakes, 1151 Uptown Park Blvd, 713- 622-7283
credit: Crave Cupcakes

In the run-up to the release of Alison Cook's much-anticipated list of the Top 100 Houston Restaurants, Chron.com, the Chronicle's free website, asked readers to vote on their favorite restaurants.

Each of the 10 polls included a minimum of 10 nominees, also suggested by readers. Readers were polled for two months. (For restaurants with more than one location, we've included the website.) The results:

Syd Kearney has been working in newspaper newsrooms since she was 18. Among her many roles: working in sports department for the Beaumont Enterprise, editing and designing the lifestyle pages for the Houston Post and roaming the world for 10 years as the travel writer for the Houston Chronicle. For the past five years, Syd has reported on restaurant and nightlife news for the Houston Chronicle's weekly entertainment magazine Preview (home to the popular Whine & Dine column).

A native of Beaumont, Tx., Syd attended Lamar University. She resides in Houston with her special-needs beagle and her "boyfriend" of 25 years.